29 October 2012

I hope you ladies in the NE and Mid-Atlantic regions are staying safe, warm and dry today with your loved ones!

I donned this outfit last week before the temps made their sudden dive southward
this weekend. I guess I can kiss bright crisp afternoons in short-sleeves goodbye. As I much as I look forward to cooler weather, I can't
say I enjoy having to bundle up so much already just to walk the pup in
the mornings (sorry, neighbors, I've officially broken out my flannel PJ bottoms and when it's the crack of dawn, I'll be seen meandering my way across your walk in monkey pants and kick butt hiking boots).

I spent most of last winter in skirts and heels sans stockings and felt fine about it. This year however, as it is just
beginning to hit the 50s in the SE, I am having thoughts of filling my
closets with big ole nubbly warm sweaters and puffy super-warm coats.
And knee socks. Thick woolen toe warmers. When did I suddenly become a
cold wimp? I think that living in the SE for the past few years has made
me soft to anything under 65. Be warned, I can already anticipate my level of
chilled-to-the-bone whining come January temps!

How are you ladies dealing as the thermometer creeps downward? Are you reveling in the chilly days or curling in your toes and starting to bundle in your coziest?

26 October 2012

Can you believe that it is almost November? We are knee-deep in the midst of fall, which means that - egads - winter is only a few short weeks away! Most of us are working on trading in our filmy frocks for cozy woolens, loose tanks for big old scarves and toe wiggling sandals for warm booties.

So what better way to help gear up for cold, cold weather than if you had $100 extra in your wallet to spend?

The fashionable folks over at Shopbop are giving away an opportunity for one of you lucky gals to win a

$100 gift card to Shopbop

Shopbop is one of my favorite online designer retailers that carry pretty much everything you need to deck yourself out - along with a HUGE sale section that gets frequently updated. I have spent way too many hours perusing their site - and now they even have a Shopbop Pinterest page for even more stylish inspiration.

There's only one thing you need to do to enter: Be a follower of respect the shoes via GFC, Bloglovin, Facebook or Google+
And leave a comment on this post letting me know how you follow (include an e-mail addy on how to contact you if your e-mail isn't already on your profile or blog).

* For one extra entry, you can blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the link** For another extra entry, go on Shopbop and let me know what you're loving

Three total chances to enter per person. Please leave each entry as a separate comment.

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Contest concludes at 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday, November 5. A winner will be selected at random shortly after that. International entries are welcome, but unfortunately PA bloggers are not eligible, sorry!

24 October 2012

In a recent episode of the guide to life (not), aka the Real Housewives of New York,
cast member Sonya gets woken up in bed by her morning intern who hands
Sonya her mobile phone with a full voicemail box. Sonya complains that
her voicemail is always full because she can't be bothered to check her
messages, then proceeds to change her voicemail message to tell people
who call not to leave her a message, and to instead text or e-mail her.

That the woman has a fleet
of personal interns who do everything for her is neither here nor there.
What really got me about that scene was that I first was aghast at her
sheer laziness, but then ... I remembered that the vast majority of my
own voicemails go unchecked for at least a day or two - because I hate
checking them.

There's something more to-the-point about connecting with people nowadays through e-mail or text via over the phone. It is more impersonal, but that means you can bypass all the sometimes false niceties and just get down to it.
There's none of this "hi, how are your kids, is your back better today,
how did the [insert name of personal activity you don't really care
about here] go" banter that you kind of feel like you have to go through when calling someone. There's no running around playing phone tag. There are no lost calls, bad connections.

OK
... it is kind of ridiculous, isn't it? When did human interaction start
becoming a nuisance? I remember getting mad at one of our coordinators a
few years ago because we were on-site at a project and items were
missing. She was supposed to contact the home office to get info and
help locate items, we were running out of time, and I remember catching
her texting her co-workers back home and I am pretty sure I freaked out.
Call them and talk to someone. Get someone real time and get things settled now.

But uh - I really only check my voicemails because I can't stand seeing the little tape symbol on my phone.

Do you like how technology is streamlining communication or do you feel like we're losing out on the personal touch? Am I the only one who doesn't like checking voicemails?

22 October 2012

Here's attempt number 3,829 at trying out the cropped slouchy pant trend and attempt 1 of doing it in color.

Despite
the fact that I'm a mere 5'2" with some sturdy legs to boot, I love a
cropped pant. The slouchier the better. But I can't really pull the look off,
so once or twice each season, I'll break some sort of baggy crotch
ankle pant out for a twirl before realizing yet again that I've spent the day looking decidedly pear-shaped and a whole lot shorter than usual.

And while I adore the look of colored pants, I've got legs that look
great in skirts but thighs that easily make most straight-fit pants into
legging-tights, so the colored skinny denim trend hasn't really been me any favors either.

So here's my first fall go into things, this time keeping the legs looser and restraining the slouch
into daytime non-Hammer revival appropriate. And granted I need a belt
to ward off saggy-ass and must wear tall-tall heels, I don't think I did
half bad this time around. Or if all else fails, people will be more
distracted by my buggy bling or extra shimmery shirt.

Are there trends that may or may not work for you that you still love to keep trying out?

And the lucky number drawn for the $50 gift card of your choice, thanks to Go Chic or Go Home is:

Which means that the winner out of 39 entries (38 qualifying) is:

Congrats, Gracey! You'll be contacted directly from the fashionable folks at Go Chic or Go Home with instructs on how to collect your prize. Thanks so much to all those who participated!

Remember, if you still haven't had a chance to check Go Chic or Go Home, click here for an invite - it's absolutely free, there's no obligation for anything, and there are a ton of cute outfits to check out!

19 October 2012

To keep my closet semi-sane, I try to abide by the rule that before a
new item comes in, something old must go out. So a lot of my things are
constantly moving around in my closet as I continue to shop, shop, shop
for the new and weed out the old for donation/sale/pass to a friend.

When
it comes to deciding what should go in my closet, I know a lot of
people recommend that if you haven't worn something in more than a year,
then it shouldn't take up anymore room in your life. I unfortunately
have a bunch of stuff that I may not have worn in a really long period
of time but I still can't give up because that jacket is just so darn pretty/my sister gave me that bag/something awesome happened last time I wore that dress. I can be a total sentimentalist - or a hoarder in training.

Most times when I sort through my things, I pull out items that
either don't really fit me well (I know, they should have never made it
into my closet in the first place ...) or where I may just plain be out
of like with something.

And yes, then there are the dreaded new with tags
things - the risked "final sale" items that didn't work out or the
pieces that just never got worn but sat around so long they can't be
returned anymore (and I have a bad habit of ripping the tags off items
as soon as I bring them home). These guys are few and far between, thankfully.

Do
you have rules about what items should stay and go in your closet? How
do you determine when it is time for something in your wardrobe to go?

17 October 2012

Whether we stroll into a posh shop and flip out our black cards for the latest and greatest in next season's gear or save our dollars and score big at a super sale or thrift shop, I think it is pretty apparent here that we all like to get dressed and bring new things into our closets.

And I am admitted shopaholic. I really really like clothes, shoes, accessories. I probably see my local UPS guy more often than most. I like checking out some of my favorite online retail sites once every few days to see the latest and I do keep mental tabs on a few wish list items at each store just in case they hit sale or I stumble on a discount code. I love blogs like JCA and EA because I often hear about new sales there sooner than I would get the retailer e-mail. I check out flash sale sites every few days. If I am killing time and in front of the computer, Ebay is a fantastic minute muncher.

One thing I don't do very often though? Go to the mall to shop.
I know, weird. Because there my synapses go into overload and I may end up with a small
impulse control issue. I have been known to buy more than I intended.
So I honestly prefer online shopping a lot of the times because I can
take my time, ponder an item without (perceived) pressure, comparison
shop. (And no, I don't thrift either, because I've tried multiple times
and failed at all of them, and I do have the completely biased
misperception that most thrift clothes are falling apart and would never
work for me).

All in all for me, I go to the
mall or store probably once a month and peruse online retailers several
times per week. I do buy something probably once a week, though it is
almost always on sale or heavily discounted. I try to maintain a fairly
sane closet by selling through my blog sale or donating or passing on to
a friend. I probably shop more than I should, and yes it is a little
superficial to be all about me-me-me, but I'm working and saving and not
creating new debt through my love for shoes. So yeah, I may be a little
sheepish about bringing home my fourth navy blazer, but I'm not going to apologize for it.

So what about you ladies. I think it is safe to say that in this personal style blogging community of ours, most of us are not shy about shopping. How often do you shop?

15 October 2012

I am an admitted TV-holic - albeit a picky one - so I always love this time of year when new shows debut and old favorites come back. There are actually few shows I make a point of watching right when they air.

My current faves? I had been highly anticipating the return Once Upon a Time - who can resist fairy tales? And The Vampire Diaries - I had been a fan since reading the original trilogy in middle school. Thanks to Infinity, I also have been catching episodes of 666 Park Avenue and the borderline cheesy superhero-y Arrow - can you tell I have a lean towards the fantasy / sci-fi stuff?

I am into more "realistic" TV too, though my old standby favorite, the Real Housewives series, is really starting to wear thin - there's only so much pointless bickering I can stand to watch without it starting to give me a case of anxiety! And Gossip Girl? Honestly, I am having more fun catching the reruns - I lost track of things by season 3. How many times can the same six-seven people date and re-date each other anyways?

The one show I don't get tired of? No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain (I'm upset that it's his final season - I'm a huge foodie fangirl, and even made it a point to eat at Les Halles, where Tony once ran the kitchen before he made it to TV stardom).

What are some of your fave new or returning shows for the fall season?

11 October 2012

Hey ladies! I’m in week two of my deep dive work projects extravaganza (makes it sound cooler than “I will have no personal life for at least two weeks”) but wanted to drop a line to see how everyone in blogdom is doing! The last week or so has been a whirlwind of little bits of awesomeness mixed in with some of that good ole WTF.

Cases in point …

WTF: Last week included abusiness trip that started off with my flight being delayed due to a mechanical issue with the plane. Then the replacement plane brought in was missing its trash cans (!), so we had to wait even longer – long enough for me to miss my connecting flight and having to spend the night in an unfamiliar country while missing my first day of meetings.

Awesomeness: I had an opp to try out my first Thai massage – in Thailand!

WTF: While I was gone, I left too many leftovers in the fridge. Now I’d rather sacrifice some Tupperware containers than figure out what kind of chemistry experiments I unwittingly created in my fridge. Why does green and furry mean gag-inducing stink?

Awesomeness: Being able to fall into my own bed after a long whiles far far away. Is anything more comforting?

Awesomeness: I managed to lose about three pounds with my healthier eating initiative by the end of September.

WTF: I gained all the weight back in the last week. Curry crab, pineapple fried rice and international buffet breakfast weight ...

Awesomeness: Seeing how genuinely excited my pup is to see me after time away from home. There’s really no better greeting.

WTF: Pup butt-scooted on the carpet the other day – typically kind of groan-inducing but still funny and cute. This time, she left track marks. Seriously?

Awesomeness: Breaking out a kickass new pair of heels for a trip.

WTF: Realizing very quickly – but nonetheless still too late – that those same shoes will leave my feet as bloody stumps.

What has been the recent awesomeness and WTF going on in your lives recently?

08 October 2012

I think one the main reasons I like the style blogging community is that it is a great place to find realistic style inspiration. That’s why I am digging the site Go Chic or Go Home. Go Chic or Go Home is like a mix of Pinterest, Facebook and Shopstyle. And what's great about the Go Chic or Go Home community is how the features are all focused on making the most of your real wardrobe.

Find outfit inspiration from other members and save your fave looks. Look up all the different ways other stylish ladies have thought up to wear red jeans, or stripes, or do the nautical trend. Post your own outfits for reference. Create a virtual closet and then remix your clothes into ensembles.. You can choose to follow other members and it’s easy to comment on posted outfits or solicit help from other members.

So I am thrilled that the fine folks at Go Chic or Go Home are offering up a $50 gift card to a lucky respect the shoes reader for any retailer that they work with (check out the list here – this includes J.Crew, Banana Republic, Zappos, etc.)!

For new members -Request an invite to join the site with this link & use your invite link to sign up for the web site(Membership is free and there is no commitment to anything)

For current members - Log into your Go Chic or Go Home account so your account is active during the giveaway period

2. Then leave a comment on this blog post about the Go Chic or Go Home community. What do you think?This giveaway is open to internationally and is live until Wednesday, October 17 at 10:00 ET. A winner will be drawn at random shortly after that!

03 October 2012

I remember when I was little and living with my parents, my room was my world. Especially during those angsty teeny bop years, time spent at home meant being with myself doing my own thing in my room. I had awful blue-green shag carpet and mis-matched furniture, but it was a place where only I knew exactly what was in it and where I could do (and for the most part, act) how I wanted. Loads of diary writing, YA reading, emo sketching and later year-NKOTB worship happened in that room.

College meant roommates and shared spaces, and granted everyone seemed very open with their stuff and areas, but it was almost mandatory to make yourself known in your space. I hung up painting and sketches from my art classes, invested in loads of cheap Target and Delia's tchotchkes, and streamed the obligatory twinkle lights and paper garlands lest my roommate ever forgot which desk or single bed was hers from mine.

Out of school, I spent short periods living completely on my own. It was freeing/scary/confusing to have all of it for myself. Did you know that furniture costs money? That towels and bath mats aren't just there and floors don't clean themselves? In my first apartment, I did discover that I lacked the decorating gene and thereafter just kept things very spare, very neutral - lots of beige, white and black. I splurged on these ridiculous Marimekko floor pillows but had no dining table. When I suddenly had the power to do exactly what I wanted all over, I didn't quite know what to do with myself. But it was mine, all mine ...

Now? I live in a big enough place where we can openly have our shared spaces (living room, kitchen, bedroom) for when we want to be sociable and about - though I still can't decorate worth anything - but I also have a spare bedroom which has become my home office/overflow closet/room of general Lisa randomness. And where the general living spaces are results of ocooperation and compromise, that room is all my own. Jewelry becomes decor, big red Target baskets hide paperwork, novels mix it up on shelves with ceramic elephants and family pictures.

In your home, what are completely your own space(s)? What do you dedicate your space to and how much time do you spend there?

01 October 2012

Happy October, ladies! Time is sure flying by, isn't it! I know we've hit the last quarter of the year, but it seems like for a lot of us, at least weather-wise, it's been slow going to cooler temps. Please check out this month's Respect the Outfits reader feature where some of my fave ladies are decked out in their just getting cool weather best! Thanks so much for participating, ladies!

Here's my take at transitioning for fall (I know, I know, there's probably a tad too much red going on - sometimes I can't help myself when getting dressed, though I did lose the brooch through the day). It's still pretty warm here in the SE, so I figured some darker cool weather colors in light warm weather fabrics would be a good mix to help bring in some fall.

Many thanks again to all the lovely ladies who participated this month - and thank you for reading along! I'm going to be a little scarce in blogdom this week as big work projects loom, but I'll be catching up with all of you soon!